SKULL OF LEPIDOSIREN. 



191 



were suffered to expire during the night, and in the morning the poor Lepidosiren was 

 found chilled to death. 



The history of this creature is not only interesting, but is valuable as it shows the 

 comparative advantages of watching t'.ie habits of animals in large and small habita- 

 tions. Had, for example, the creature lived from the first in the large basin, its re- 

 markable mode of eating its food could not have been observed, as it always seeks the 

 bottom of its prison for that purpose ; while, had it been always kept in the glass 

 tank, its graceful movements and fish-eating propensities would never have been 

 discovered. 



The bones of the Lepidosiren are, when first taken from the body, of a bright green 

 color, and so gelatinous in structure, that if left in the water they would probably dis- 

 solve. After a time, however, the green color fades, though traces of it can still be 

 discerned. The bones of the head are, however, of a firmer character, as is needful 

 for the management of the sharp and powerful teeth ; and in the skull of the above- 

 mentioned specimen, now lying before me, and from which this illustration has been 

 carefully drawn, the green tint still lingers on several of the bones. The drawing is of 

 the natural size. 



SKULL OP LEPIDC SIREN. 



The teeth are most remarkable, looking as if they were made from a ribbon of 

 enamel-covered bone, plaited in a series of very deep undulations in front, and sweep- 

 ing off at each side with a bold curve. Those of the palate and lower jaw are so 

 made that they lock into each other, the folds exactly corresponding, and fitting into 

 each other with such exactness, that no creature when seized could hope to escape 

 without much detriment. The edges of this continuous tooth-ribbon, if I may so call 

 it, are very sharp, and armed with small saw-like teeth, rather worn away in front, but 

 very perceptible on the sides. In the very front of the upper jaw are two little pointed 

 teeth, set apparently loosely in the soft parts of the nose, and quite useless for biting. 

 When, however, the skull is removed from the body, and cleared of muscle and other 

 soft parts, these teeth retain their place, and by the hardening of their attachments 

 become tightly fixed in the skull. 



During life the points of these teeth , project very slightly through those two little 

 holes just inside the upper lip, which arc considered as the internal nostrils. While 

 the creature is alive, the teeth cannot be seen even when the mouth is open, being 

 covered by a very soft and yielding substance, through which they seem to cut when 

 in use. 



The external aspect of this creature is very singular, the chief characteristics being its 

 eel-like form, and the four long slender projections which stand in the place of limbs, and 



